Abstract: The current invention is a method for modeling the probability of a drill string becoming stuck within a given time frame and a method for applying the model to a well being drilled to reduce the probability of sticking. The model is constructed by performing canonical discriminant analysis on engineering parameters derived from observations taken in historical wells and creating a canonical space with the resulting canonical functions. Posterior probabilities of sticking are then calculated from the historical observations and mapped into the canonical space. To apply the model to a particular well being drilled, the values of the previously derived engineering parameters are calculated from observations in the well being drilled, multiplied by their corresponding canonical coefficients, and summed to obtain a canonical point representation for drilling in that well. This canonical point representation is then mapped into the canonical space to obtain the probability of sticking.

Abstract: A speech-recognition system for recognizing isolated words includes pre-processing circuitry for performing analog-to-digital conversion and cepstral analysis, and a plurality of neural networks which compute discriminant functions based on polynomial expansions. The system may be implemented using either hardware or software or a combination thereof. The speech wave-form of a spoken word is analyzed and converted into a sequence of data frames. The sequence of frames is partitioned into data blocks, and the data blocks are then broadcast to a plurality of neural networks. Using the data blocks, the neural networks compute polynomial expansions. The output of the neural networks is used to determine the identity of the spoken word. The neural networks utilize a matrix-inversion or alternatively a least-squares estimation training algorithm which does not require repetitive training and which yields a global minimum to each given set of training examples.

Abstract: A clock distribution system for reducing clock skew between tightly coupled central processing units in a multi-processor system. The multi-processor system includes (1) a configuration processor for generating a first configuration signal and a second configuration signal, a first clock, a second clock, (2) a first processor having a first central processing unit, (3) a second processor having a second central processing unit, (4) a first clock generator for generating a first delayed clock signal from the first or second clock in accordance with the configuration signals, and (6) a second clock generator generating a second delayed clock signal from the first or second clock in accordance with said configuration signals.

Abstract: A device and method for high speed production rates in the hydration of soft contact lenses. Such device and method includes the use robotic transfer equipment to transfer contact lens molds containing contact lenses to and from a hydration station and a flushing station.

Abstract: A computer control system for optimizing process parameters in an automated production line for producing contact lenses. The system comprises a plurality of process controllers for controlling one or more process stations of the production line, each of the controllers regulating a plurality of process control devices that each control specific production parameters used in the automated manufacture of contact lenses at the process station(s). An automated lens inspection device automatically evaluates each contact lens produced and generates inspection data for each contact lens, and a polling device polls each of the process controllers on a frequent basis to acquire process control data for each period. Further included is a correlating device for correlating the inspection data to the process control data and the contact lens data to optimize process parameters used in the production of contact lenses.

Abstract: A shampoo that contains ketoconazole, a surfactant, a foaming agent, thickener sufficient to give the final formulation a viscosity in the range of about 4,000 to about 9,000 cps at room temperature (i.e., about 20.degree.-25.degree. C.), preservative, butylated hydroxytoluene or butylated hydroxyanisole in an amount sufficient to retard degradation of the ketoconazole, and acid, base or buffer sufficient to give the final composition a pH in the range of from about 4 to about 10.

Abstract: An artificial neuron, which may be implemented either in hardware or software, has only one significant processing element in the form of a multiplier. Inputs are first fed through gating functions to produce gated inputs. These gated inputs are then multiplied together to produce a product which is multiplied by a weight to produce the neuron output.

Abstract: An adjustable height and position retainer for releasable retaining a printed circuit card in a circuit card edge connector. The retainer includes an elongated base member for attachment to the side of a circuit card edge connector, an elongated retaining post, and a clamp assembly slideably attached to the retaining post and positionable at any selected position along the length of the retaining post. The retaining post is slideably attached to the base member such that the post is secured in an orthogonal relationship with the circuit card edge connector and parallel with a circuit card installed into the edge connector, yet the retaining post is positionable at any selected position along the length of the base member. The clamp assembly includes an extrusion which holds the top edge of a printed circuit card installed into the circuit card edge connector.

Abstract: A single transmission optical fiber is used to transmit RF signals of the same frequency but different polarization from a source to a polarization diversity receiver without introducing interference between the signals. The incoming signal of one polarization modulates a first laser transmitter operating at one wavelength, and the incoming signal of the other polarization modulates a second laser transmitter operating at a different, second wavelength. The two modulated optical beams are combined in an optical coupler whose output is connected to the transmission fiber leading to the polarization diversity receiver. At the receiver, a wavelength division multiplexing coupler is used to separate out the two modulated optical carriers. The two RF signals used to modulate the laser transmitters are separately recovered via photodiode detectors to provide inputs to the polarization diversity receiver.

Abstract: A device (10) for injection of fluidic materials into body tissue includes a syringe (22) and an injection housing (24). The syringe (24) includes a first end (26), a second end (28) , a hollow barrel (30) , a plunger (32) , and a rod (34) which extends through the second end (28) of the syringe (24). The housing (24) further includes a first end (42), a second end (44), and a bore (46). The first end (42) of the housing is disposed in juxtaposed relationship with the second end (28) of the syringe ( 22 ) . The rod ( 34 ) extends beyond the second end (44) of the housing (24). A piston (72) travels within the bore ( 46 ) in a reciprocal fashion, and cooperates with the rod ( 34 ) in a ratchet-like fashion. The piston (72) engages the rod (34) as the piston (72) travels toward the first end (42) of the housing (24), and disengages from the rod (34) as the piston (72) travels toward the second end (44) of the housing (24).

Abstract: A controller for a clock generator. The controller of the present invention enables a clock signal to the internal clocking mechanism of a device. The controller of the present invention includes a detector and a timer. The detector has two input sense levels, such that it is capable of detecting a clock signal at two separate levels, the first level being larger than the second. Initially, the detector only detects when the clock signal is at a level greater than or equal to the larger of the levels. When this occurs, the timer begins counting. When the clock signal has been at or above the greater level for a predetermined time as determined by the timer, the detector enables the clock signal to go to the internal clocking mechanism. Thereafter, the detector only senses when the clock signal falls below the second level. Thus, the detector enables the clock signal to go to the internal clocking mechanism while the level of the clock signal is above the second level.

Abstract: A sunshade and sunglasses which may be interchangeably detachably attached to vision correcting eye glasses is provided. The atttachment being by means of flexigrip-catch pairs. A pair of flexigrips are integrally formed on the top of an eyeglass frame for correcting lenses and are adapted for being received by a first pair of catches that are integrally formed on the top of a frame of a pair of sunglasses which has no temples, or a second pair of catches fixedly positioned underneath a sunshade. The position of the respective first and second pairs of catches are in alignment with the position of the flexigrips. By pressing the first pair of catches onto the respective flexigrips, the sunglass lenses are pivotally attached thereon.

Abstract: A method for injecting viscous material into the eye. In the injection into the eye, sufficient material is injected to separate a membrane from the retina so that intraocular scissors may be manipulated between the membrane and the retina to cut the attachment points. The membrane is then aspirated away. The injection is done using a standard glue injector with a one-shot and a continuous mode. The glue injector is pneumatically coupled through a sterile filter and a custom adaptor to a sterile syringe storing the material to be injected.

Abstract: A tethered vehicle such as a missile system comprises a tethered vehicle body having a control system and propulsion system therein, a control station for the tethered vehicle located outside of the tethered vehicle body, and an optical fiber data link extending from the tethered vehicle control system to the control station. The tethered vehicle system further includes a GPS positioning system for the tethered vehicle, which comprises a positioning signal receiving antenna mounted in the tethered vehicle, and a positioning signal amplifier mounted in the tethered vehicle, which receives a positioning signal from the antenna and produces an amplified positioning signal. A transmitter transmits the amplified positioning signal into the optical fiber data link at its end within the tethered vehicle, and a receiver receives the amplified positioning signal from the optical fiber data link at its end at the control station. A signal processor analyzes the amplifier positioning signal received from the receiver.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a forged and rolled Al-Zn-Cu-Mg alloy plate product having improved fatigue properties in the long transverse direction. The method comprises providing a body of an Al-Zn-Cu-Mg alloy, working said body by a forging operation to reduce its thickness in a C direction by at least 30% and rolling or working the forged body to provide a forged and rolled plate product having improved fatigue properties in the long transverse direction.

Abstract: A process that disallows any bridging onto the signal to be broadcast from any switch of the input stage of the Clos switching network and that further disallows any requests for point-to-multipoint broadcast connections in excess of the number of switches in the center stage of the network avoids the perceived problems with maintaining point-to-multipoint broadcast connections in a Clos switching network. Such a process causes rearranging to occur only when the broadcast connection is established or added to. It also guarantees that paths for point-to-point connections can always be found, when they are requested, without spending time to rearrange any other connection.

Abstract: A bond inspection technique which determines the integrity of a plurality of package leads (13) bonded to a plurality of contact areas (12) on a semiconductor chip (11). A bonding process heats each package lead (13) bonded to each contact area (12). A camera (16) forms an infra-red intensity image at a predetermined time of the semiconductor chip (11) and ports image data to a computer (18). Infra-red intensity radiated from each bond on the semiconductor chip (11) is compared by the computer (18) with infra-red intensity data of known good and bad bonds. The comparison of each bond determines bond integrity of the semiconductor chip (11).

Abstract: Light (19) is projected at an incidence angle (29) onto a plurality of leads (12, 13). The light (19) is simultaneously reflected from each of the plurality of leads (12, 13). The light that is simultaneously reflected (24, 26) from each lead (12, 13) is detected. A cotangent function of the incidence angle (29) is utilized to detect an amount of displacement (32) of at least one of the plurality of leads.

Abstract: A non-destructive method for testing quality of at least one bond which physically and electrically couples a package lead to an integrated circuit. A thermal gradient is created across the at least one bond which causes heat transfer thru the at least one bond. Heat transfer is measured which is proportional to area at a bond interface. The measured heat transfer thru the at least one bond is compared with heat transfer data taken under substantially equal conditions of known good bonds thereby determining quality of the at least one bond. The heat transfer is indirectly measured by creating a mechanical vibration at an input area and by measuring the time it takes the mechanical vibration to reach an output area after the mechanical vibration has traveled through the at least one bond.